Dispenser apparatus



Dec. 25, 1956 6. DE VRIES 2,775,368

DISPENSER APPARATUS Filed April 16, 1954 h snverflor I Gert m;

k Jaw/349%" w QHjornQJ United States Patent DISPENSER APPARATUS Gerrit de Vries, Boone, Iowa.

Application April 16, 1954, Serial No. 423,775 6 Claims. (Cl. 222-81) My invention relates to improvements in a dispenser apparatus adapted for use in dispensing granular, pow dered or liquid products from can containers. 1

More particularly it is adapted to be detachably afiixed to a metal can in such a way that it punctures the sidewall thereof and has suitable closure means for opening and closing the punctured area to dispense the contents therefrom.

Many metal cans or containers, such as those used for coffee, for example, are hermetically sealed in processing to preserve the contents. Such containers are provided with a narrow peripheral removable metal band which is removed by winding the same on a key usually attached somewhere on the can and once removed, a removal lid results. In this respect the difiiculties in removing the metal band are well known for if it is not coiled upon itself carefully, it will become tangled up to such an extent that the purpose and eifectiveness of the key is lost with the result that many times the hand must be forcibly pulled free which can and does often cause scratching and cuts, on the hands of the one involved.

It is one of the important objects of my invention to eliminate the above problem and to provide a dispensing apparatus for such cans where the metal band does not have to be removed.

Another important object of my invention is to provide tion of the closure means, and in broken lines, the open position thereof,

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of this device,

gig. 4 is an elevational view of the inner side thereof, an p Fig. 5 is a top view thereof.

Referring to the drawings a metal container or can of generally cylindrical shape of which a fragmentary portion is illustrated at 10 represents a type of container that may be used for granular, powdered or liquid products and for which my invention is particularly adapted. My new apparatus is designed to clamp on the lower rim 12 and upper rim 14 of the container (Fig. 1) and for purposes of description has the inner and outer sides 16 and V 18 respectively.

. The,body portion 20 of this device is a flat elongated member that may be formed from strap metal, plastic or the like and has a depending integral hook 22 member extending inwardly and upwardly from the center bottom edge thereof as shown in Fig. 3. An opening or window 24 is formed in the lower portion of the body 20 and a pointed punch or projection 26 extends inwardly from the lower plane of the window 24 first perpendicularly and then downwardly to a point spaced above the plane of hook 22. Punch member 26 may of course be separately attached but preferably is an integral part of body 20 sponge rubber or the like.

a dispensing apparatus of the above class that will make possible the use of can containers for granular, powdered or liquid products which can be sealed in processing and which do not require any form of lid or cap. In this respect my invention is designed to provide not only a dispensing aperture in the can but also to provide a suitable closure means to effectively seal the aperture if all contents of the container are not immediately used after the aperture is formed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a dispenser unit as above characterized that is adjustable to fit cans of varying sizes. 1

A further object is to provide such apparatus that can be used repeatedly on different containers after it has served its purpose on a particular one.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a dispensing apparatus of the above class that is economical in manufacture, durable in construction, refined in appearance and eflicient' for its intended purpose.

These and other objects will be apparent to those'skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention shown attached to a fragmentary portion of a metal container with the broken lines indicating its adaptability to a container of a different size,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the outer side of this dispenser showing in solid line the closed posi- A spring clip member consisting of the elongated arm 30 that terminates in a hook or clip 32 is provided with the elongated slot 34 in portion 30 extending in line with the longitudinal axis thereof. This clip is arranged on the upper outer side 18 of body 20 so that clip portion 32 extends rearwardly above the top of body 20 in the same direction as hook 22 and punch 26 and is designed so that clip 32 is extensible from the top extremity of body 20 by the slidable engagement of slot 34 with a set screw 36 in outer side 18. A door or closure means 38 for Window 24 in the form of a suitable flat member has its edges bent into channel shape as at 40 for a slip fit connection to body 20 so that it can be moved longitudinally on body 20 for opening or closing window 24. The upper portion of door 38 is provided with a notch or recess 42 complementary in shape to the lower end of clip arm 30 so that neither door 38 nor clip portion 30 will interfere with each as will later appear. Across notch 42 and elevated therefrom at the top 44 of door 38 is a finger grip bar 46 to facilitate movement of the door.

This invention when constructed and arranged as described will operate in the following manner. Hook 22 is engaged under the lower rim 12 of can 10 so that punch 26 will be in contact with the side of the can and in this position hook 22 will serve as a hinge or pivot point upon which body 20 can be manually moved until clip portion 32 is snapped into place over the upper rim 14. As this is being done it will be understood that 'punch 26 perforates the side of can 10 and comes to rest near and parallel to the bottom of the can. Pad or cushion 28 not only forms a tight seal around the window 24 thus formed but serves as a yielding spacer means that cooperates with spring clip 32 in holding this device firmly in place on the can. Closure means 38 is movable vertically to open or close window 24 and its closed position is indicated in solid lines in Fig. 2 with the dotted lines in the same illustration indicating its open position. Hook 22 serves as a stop means for the downward or closed position of door 38 and set screw 36 engageably by member 46 serves the same function for the upward or open position thereof.

Patented Dec. 25, 1956 The adju s tabi-ilty of the spring clip allows this device to be usedon cans ofdifferent sizesas indicated by the broken lines in Fig. l and all that is required is to loosen screw 36, adjust the clip to the proper length and retighten the screw. This dispenser may then be used repeatedly on cans of like size without further adjustment. Since clip arm 30' willslide over the outer side 18 of body 20, the recess42 in door 38 permits freedom of movement of both the door and clip particularly if clip portion 30 is in its retracted position as shown by solid line's in Fig. 1 and door-3'8 is in open position as previously described. It is also pointed out that hook 22 may be engaged with the upper rim 14 with clip 32 attaching to the [lower rim' lz with the same effectiveness and usefulness as if reversed.

Once this apparatus is mounted as described and shown it will be appreciated that the contents of the container may be dispensed as desired and that the window 24 can be effectively closed by door means 38-to permit storage of the can between times its use is required. There are no removable lids involved and therefore it is immaterial whether the can be placed on its bottom, top or side so that it can be positioned in any manner on a shelf to utilize available space. This aspect, however, is probably of more importance should the container be accidentally tipped or dropped since no lid will be knocked out of place and the likelihood of the contents being spilled is eliminated.

It will also be apparent that on cans sealed by metal bands, such bands need no longer be removed so that a decided advantage not only accrues to the user, but a potential economy in can manufacture is now made possible. It is therefore submitted that the invention shown and described is aptly suited to achieve the purposes intended andis characterized by a combination of highly useful and mutually cooperating elements that combine their respective and proportionate functions in accomplishing the objects sought to be obtained.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my dispenser apparatus without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it i'smy intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be'rea's'onably included within their scope.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a body'member having an. inner and outer side respectively, said body member provided with an opening or window, a punch member integral with said body member extending from the inner side thereof adjacent said window, hook means integral with said body member extending therefrom in the same direction as said punch member, a spring clip means consisting of an arm portion and a hook portion, said arm portion provided with a slot, a set screw on the outer side of said body portion spaced from said window, said arm portion slidably disposed on the outer side of said body member by engagement of said slot with said set screw whereby said clip means can be selectively projected beyond one end of said body member, and a closure means for said window on said body member.

2. Ina device of the class described, a body member having aninner and outer side respectively, said body member provided with an opening or window, a punch member integral with said body member extending from the inner side thereof adjacent said window, hook means integral with said body member extending therefrom in the same direction as said punch member, a spring clip means consisting of an arm portion and a hook portion, said arm portion provided with a slot, a set screw on the outer side of said body portion spaced from said window, said arm portion slidably disposed on the outer side of said body member by engagement of said slot with said set screw whereby said clip means can be selectively projected beyond one end of said body member, a closure means for said window slidably arranged on said body member, said first mentioned hook serving as a stop means to limit the movement of said closure means in one direction, and said set screw serving as a stop means to limit the movement thereof in the opposite direction.

3. In a device of the class described, a body member having an opening therein, all of said body member lying in the same plane, a projecting member extending from one edge of said opening, a hook on one end of said body member, a clip member on the other end thereof, and a closure means for said opening.

4. In a device of the class described, a body member having an opening therein, all of said body member lying in the same plane, a projecting member extending from one edge of said opening, a hook on one end of said body member, a clip member on the other end thereof, a closure means for said opening slidably arranged on said body member, and said hook serving as a stop means to limit the movement of said closure in one direction.

5. In a device of the class described, a body member having an opening therein, a projecting member extending from one edge of said opening, a hook on one end of said body member, a clip member on the other end thereof, said projecting member and clip member each extending from said body member in the same direction, and a closure means for said opening; said closure means consisting of a flat member having two opposite sides bent under to form a channel, and said channels slidably frictionally engaging respective opposite sides of said body member to provide a means for selectively varying the size of said opening or to close the same entirely.

6. In a device of the class described, an elongated fiat body member lying all in one plane having an opening therein, a projecting member extending from one edge of said opening, a hook on one end of said body member, a clip member on the other end thereof, said projecting member and clip member each extending from said body member in the same direction, and a closuremeans for said opening; said closure means consisting of a flat member having two opposite sides bent under to form a channel, and said channels slidably frictionally engaging respective opposite sides of said body member to provide a means for selectively varying the size of said opening or to close the same entirely.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,951,515 Lyell Mar. 20, 1934 2,386,877 Neilson et a1 Oct. 16, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 774,355 France Dec. 5, 1934 

